Door latch



Jan. 21,1930.4 i E. ELLINGsoN 1,744,457 l DOORr LATCH Filed Jan. 24;1928 f lll/111111 r -A 'l Y w )mr- IIIIIIIIIIIIIII YIIIIIIIII l IIIYIIIIIIIIIIIII III l v .wrm

Patented Jui. 21,1930

UNITED lSTATES ELLIN-G ELLINGSQN, OF SAN' FRANCISCO, C'ALIFOIXLNIA DoonLATCH Application filed January 24, 1928. Serial No. 249,056.

My invention relatesV to improvements in door latches and the likewherein latch actuating means. arranged to be operated by turning aknob, is fully enclosed within a tubnlar casing set within a mortisebore, the

latch being arranged to be moved independently of the knob for latchingthe door and being provided with means operablelfrom either side of thedoor `for securing the latch in. latching or unlatching position.

` The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved doorlatch.

' Another object is to provide an improved and simplified constructionwhich is extremely compact.

A further object is to provide an improved construction which willsimplify and facili tate installation.

Another-.object is to provide an improved device of the characterdescribed which may be readily adapted to doors of various kinds andwhich may be provided with latch secur-` ing means operable from eitheror both sides of the door without altering the form or construction ofthe latch assembly.

A further object is to provide an improved latch which will be smoothand easy in its operation and in which a proper tension is maintained atall times upon both the latch and the knob.

A still further object is to provide an improved device'of simple'andeconomical construction, which is positive and eiiective in operation. Yy

I accomplish these and other objects by means of the improved devicedisclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present applicationwherein like characters of reference are used to Adesignate similar,parts and in which# y Fig. 1-is a vertical section` of my improvedlatch as installed in connection with a door and jamb;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the ldevice as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken upon the line 3-3`ot Fig. 2 in thedirection indicated; and Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken vupon thelatch 8. f

throughout the specification and drawingsthe line 4-4 of Fig. 2 in thedirection indicated.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 1s used to designate atubularcasing arranged to be set within a mortise bore 2 bored in the 55 `edgeof a door 3 mounted adjacent a j amb 4.

The casingll is arranged to be secured in the mortise by means of screws6 applied through tabs 7 formed upon the outer end of the casing. y

A latch bolt 8 is slidably mounted within the outer end of the tubularcasing 1 and arranged to enter a recess 9 formed in the jamb 4 throughan opening formed in a striker plate 11 secured upon said amb in theordi- G5 nary manner. The latch 8 is provided with a latch arm 12extending axially inwardly `into the casing, said arm havinglongitudinal slots 13 and 14 intersecting at substantiallyy right anglesalong the inner end of the arm. The arm 12 is preferably formed from astrip of flat metal having the slot 13 formed therein, said strip beingthen doubled to form parallel spaced portions forming the slot 14therebetween, the bend of the arm 12 forms 75 the inner end of the armand the opposite end is secured to the latch, preferably by turning thetips of the strip outwardly as at 16 to engage a T groove 17 formed inthe back of A partition 18 is mounted within the middle portion of thecasing 1, said partition consisting of a circular .disc secured betweeninwardly struck detents 19 formed in the wall of the casing. The disc 18is assembled by in- 85 'serting the disc into the casing from one end ofthe casing and forcing it past the adjacent detents 19, said detentsbeing adapted to lbe sprung outwardly to permit the disc to pass andthereafterto spring inwardly to permanently retain the disc. The disc 18is apertured to receive the inwardly extending end of the arm 12 and toform a guide and support for said arm. l

The inner ends of the 'casing 1 are recessed 95 y to receive theshouldered ends 21 of a sleeve 22, the edges of the recesses beinginwardly vflanged as at 23 to form bearings rotatably supporting thesleeve 22. The sleeve 22 is arranged toreceive a square knob stem 24 100extending through said sleeve and openings 25 in the door and arrangedto receive door knobs, not shown, of any suitable type and form such asare in common usage. Crank lugs 26 are formed upon the sleeve 22.

A connecting link 27 is conected between the crank lugs 26 and the innerend of the latch arm 12. The link 27 is provided with an eye 28 formedon one end thereof and arranged to receive a pin 29 inserted through theslot 14 of the arm 12 and s'lidably movable relative thereto. Theopposite end of the link 27 isformed into a hook 31 arranged to engage apin 32 inserted through apertures formed in the lugs 26, said hookengaging the pin 32 between the lugs. The sleeve 22 is held in assembledposition across the inner end of the casing 1 by the link 27.

A plunger 33 is slidably mounted within the inner end-of the tubularcasing 1, said plunger being apertured to receive the arm 12 and havinginwardly struck lugs 34 arranged to extend against the sides of said arm12. The lugs 34 are apertured to receive the pin 29 whereby said plungeris arranged to be moved with the pin 29. A spring 36 is mounted withinthe inner portion of the casing 1, the inner end of said spring beingengaged by inwardly turned lugs 37 struck inwardly from the casing Wall.The opposite .end ofthe spring bears against the plunger 33 and normallyholds said plunger seated against the partition'18. A latch spring 38 ismounted within the outer end of the casing 1 to normally press the'latch8 outwardly from the end of the casing 1, the outward movement beinglimited by the bent end of the arm 12 engaging the pin 29 the movementof which is in turn limited by the plunger 33 engaging said pin. Theinner end of the spring 38 is engaged by a member 39 slidably mountedupon the arm 12.

The latch 8 is arranged to be secured in latching or unlatching postionsas desired by means of securing members 41 extending through openings 42bored inthe door and through slots 43 formed in the walls of the casing1 just outwardly from the partition 18. The inner ends of the members 41are indented to form detents 44 arranged to be engaged by an annularbead 46 formed upon the member 39 said bead being held in engagementwith adjacent detents 44 by the pressure of the spring'38. The extremeinner ends of the members 41 are arranged to engage notches 47 and 47formed in the edges of the arm 12. The outer ends of the members 41extend through cover plates 48 secured u n the faces of the door, andare thread to receive knobs-49 whereby the members may be moved inwardlyor outwardly to engage or disengage the arm 12..

VIn operation, my improved door latch, constructed and bled as abovedescribed is installed upon a door by merely inserting the assembleddevice in the cylindrical mormaintains a firm pressure againsttheplunger 33 and the arm 12, and prevents any looseness of the knob andlatch actuating mechanism. In retracting the latch, the resistance ofthe spring 36 combined with the resistance of the spring 38 provides atension insuring a smooth firm operation of the knob. l

The latch bolt 8 may be receded independently of the link 27 when thedoor is moved to a closed position, the arm being moved in- Wardly pastthe pin 29 by virtue of the slot 14 while the link 27 is received'within the slot 13, the pin 29 and link 27 being held firmly by theplunger 33 and spring 36. The spring 38 is made relatively light so asto permit an easy retraction of the latch as it is movecLagainst thestrike plate 11 in the well known manner.

To secure the latch in a latching position, either or both of thesecuring members 41 are moved inwardly to engage the notches 47. As amember 41 is moved to securing position, as shown in full lines in Figs.2 and 3 of the drawings, the outer indented detent 44 is engaged by thebead 46 and pressure from the spring 38 efectively holds the member 41in securing position. To release the latch, the securing member, ormembers 41 are moved outwardly to the positions shown in dotted lines inFig. 3, thereby disengaging the notchcs`47 and causing the inner detents44 to be engaged by the bead 46 to secure the members 41 in releasingposition. If it is desired to secure the latch 8 in an unlatchingposition, the latch is retracted by means of the knob and stem 24 andthe securing members 41 moved to engage the notches 47', said members 41being retained by the bead 46 as above explained. It will be noted thatthe members 46 are independently operable from opposite sides of thedoor, thereby permitting the latch to be secured in latching positionfrom either side of the door to prevent opening of thedoor from theopposite side of the door. This feature renders my device particularlyuseful in connection with doors placed between inter-communicating roomswhereby the door may be effectively locked from either side to prevententrance from the opposite.

side. f

Where it is, desired to mount the latch upon a door where it isnecessary to provide a securing means from one side only, thev bore 42is formed only in one side of the door and the opposite securingmember4l is omitted from the installation. In likevmanner, if the latch onlyis desired, Without a means for securing the latch in latching positionto bolt the door, both members 41 maybe omitted.

' The omission of either or both securing members 41 does not affect theother elements of `fully Withdrawn. Guides 51 are turned out-` wardlyfrom the partition 18 to engage and support the members41. c

i From the above explanation i-t Will be Seenthat I have produced asimple and eliicient latch which is extremely compact and easilyinstalled, and which provides means for se curing the latch to bolt orunbolt the door as desired. While I have illustrated and described onlythe preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is of coursesubject to modification in numerous details without de-` partingfrom thespirit of my invention. vI therefore do not Wish to restrict myself .tothe specilic details illustrated and described, but desire to availmyself of all modifications which may fall within the scope oftheappended claims. l 1

Having thus described 'my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is-I 1. A door latch comprising a tubularcasing arranged to be set within a mortise bored into `the edge of adoor; a latch bolt slidably mounted Within the outer end of the tubularcasing; a latch arm connected to the bolt and extending axially inwardlyinto the casing; a sleeve rotatably mounted within the inner end of thecasing and arranged to receive a lknobstem extending through the door; a

Vso

crank arm carried by the sleeve; a link connected between the latch armandthe crank for moving the latch bolt within the end of the casing whenthe sleeve is turned; a latch spring mounted within the casing andarranged to normally hold the latch in a latch ing position; a pail; ofsecuring members extending into the casingfrom opposite Vsides of thedoor and movable to engage and disengage thelatch arm whereby the -latchmay be secured in latching or unlatching posi. tion; and means actuatedby the latch spring for engaging the securing members to normally holdsaid members in securing or releasing positions as desired.

2. A doorlatch comprising a tubular casing arran ed to'be set Within amortise bore d into the e ge of a door, said casing having oppositelydisposed bearing recesses formed in the inner end thereof and openingoutwardly at the extreme end of the casing; a sleeve 4mounted Within thebearing recesses and provided with a crank arm Within the casii g; aknob stem extending through the sleeve, a latch bolt slidably mountedWithin the outer end of the casing and provided with a latch armextending axially into the casing; a link connected to the crank arm andto the latch arm, said latch arm and latch bolt being arranged to bereceded into the casing inde# y pendently of the link; a partitionmounted transversely within the casing and having an aperture to receivethe latch arm; a plunger slidably mounted Within the casing in back ofthe partition, said plunger being connected to the link and slidablyengaging the latch arm a main spring compressed between the plunger andthe inner end of the cylinder to normally advance the link and to holdsaid link and the sleeve .in assembled relation Within the casing;4 anda latch spring arranged to normally hold the latch bolt in latchingposition.

3. A door latch comprising a tubular casing arranged to be set Within amortise bored into the edge of a door, said casin having oppositelydisposedbearingrecesses ormedin the inner end thereof and openingoutwardly at, the extreme end of the casing; a sleeve mounted Within thebearing recesses and provided with a crank arm' within the casing; aknob stem extending through the sleeve; a latch bolt slidably mountedwithin the outer end of the casing and provided with a latch armextending axially into the casing; a link connected to the crank arm andto the latch arm, said latch arm and latch bolt being arranged to bereceded into the casing independently of the link; a partition mountedtransversely within the casing and'having an aperture to receive thelatch arm; a plunger slidably mounted within the casing inback o f thepartition, said plunger being connected to the link and slidablyengaging the latch arm; a mainfspring compressed between the plunger andthe inner end of the cylinder to normally advance the link and to holdsaid link and the sleeve in assembled relation within the casing; alatch spring arranged to normally hold the latch bolt in latchingposition; said latch spring being compressible to permit the latch boltto be receded independently of the link and being compressed simultane-4. A door latch comprising a tubular casing arranged to be set within .amortise boredv into the edge of a door, said casing having oppositclyisposed bearing recesses formed in the inner end thereof and openingoutwardly at the extreme end of the easmg; a sleeve mounted within thebearing recesses and provided with a crank arm within the casing; a knobstem extending through the Sleeve; 'a latch bolt slidably mounted withinthe outer end of the casing and provided with a latch arm extendingaxially into the casing; a link connected to the crank arm and to thelach arm, said latch arm and latch bolt being arranged to be recededinto the casing independently of` the link; a partition mountedtransversely within the casing and having an aperture t receive thelatch arm; a plunger slidably mounted within the til) casing in back ofthe partition, said plunger being connected to the link and slidablyengaging the latch arm; a main spring compressed between the plunger andthe inner end of the cylinder to normally advance the link and to holdsaid link and the sleeve in asiembled relation within the casing; alatch spring arranged to normally hold the latch bolt in latchingposition, said latch spring being comm-essible to permit the latch boltto be rece ed independently of the link and being compressedsimultaneously with the main spring when the bolt is receded by thelink; a pair of securing members extending into the 'casing fromopposite sides of the door and slidably movable to engage and discngagethe latch arm whereby the latch may be secured from either side of thedoor in latching or unlatching position; and a plate slidably mountedwithin the outer portion of the casing and engaged by the inner end ofthe latch spring, saidplate being arranged to engage detents formed uponthe securing members whereby either member may be secured in eithersecuring or releasing position as desired. y

5. A door latch comprising a tubular casing arranged -to be set Within amortise bored into the edge of a door; a latch bolt slidably mountedwithin the outer end of the casing; a transverse partition securedsubstantially midway of the casing; a latch arm connected to the boltand extending axially inwardly through the partition; a sleeve rotatablymounted across the innerend of the casing and provided with a crank arm;a link con-` nected at one end to the crank arm and having the otherendA engaging the latch arm, said link being adapted to actuate thelatch arm when the sleeve is turned and to permit the latch bolt andlatch arm 'to be moved inwardly independently of the link a main springmounted within the inner end of the casing around the latch arm and thelink; means secured to the latch arm and normally seating against theinner side of the sition, said members main spring and norpartition toengace the a latching position;

mally hold the link in and a latch spring mounted within the outer endofthe casing around the latch arm between the latch bolt and thepartition, said latch spring operating to normally hold the latch boltin a latchingl position and being compressible independently of the mainspring to resist independent 'inward movement of the latch boltandalsobeing compressible simultaneously with the main spring when thelatch arm is moved inwardly by the link.

6. ln a door latch, a lat'ch bolt comprising a bolt member, and a latcharm comprising a strip of metal having a longitudinal slot formedtherein and having its ends doubled into spaced parallel relation toform slots intersecting longitudinally along the axis of the arm, theends of the doubled strip being adapted to be secured in engagement withthe bolt member.

7. In a door latch, a latch member comprising a bolt portion, and alatch arm comprising strip of metal having a longitudinal slot i'ormedtherein andI having its ends doubled into spaced parallel relationtovform :lots intersectinglongitudinally along the axis of the arm, theends of the doubled strip being turned outwardly at substantially rightangles and adapted to engage a recess formediu the bolt portion tosecure the arm upon -said bolt portion..

8. In a door latch,' the combination with a casing, a latch boltprovided with a latch arm extending axially into the casing from theouter end thereof, and means for actuating the latch arm and bolt by aturning of a door knob, of a pair of securing members slidably mountedwithin the door and movable transversely into the casing and intoindependent engagement with the latch arm from opposite sides of thedoor to secure the latch bolt in latched or unlatched pohaving detentsformed upon the inner end thereof; and a spring actuated member adaptedyto engage the detents to hold the securing members in securing orreleasing positions as desired.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my sig-

